Tom Watson hits backward chip to one foot

Tom Watson hits a one armed backwards chip to one foot to get up and down.

McCord still banned from the Masters

Back in 1995, CBS television golf analyst Gary McCord got banned from the Masters for saying "they don't cut the greens here at Augusta, they use bikini wax." He also described the bumpy terrain as looking "suspiciously like body bags."

These quotes are definitely not ideal for the Masters telecast, but it seems a warning or suspension could have been sufficient. McCord has a different type of humor, and his banter with David Feherty makes for good television. It would be nice to see him return to Augusta now that it's been 16 years.

Tom Watson actually wrote a letter to CBS and the Masters chairman demanding that McCord be fired, and apparently this had a big effect on McCord's future at the tournament.

McCord isn't the first to be blackballed from the Masters. Jack Whitaker was taken off the air for comments during a playoff at the 1966 Masters when he called the gallery a "mob." Whitaker's suspension lasted four years.

"I assume that what I did is viewed as something short of manslaughter," said McCord. "It's a misdemeanor, not a felony. With good behavior I may be out on parole in a couple of years." This may turn out to be a life sentence for McCord.

The Timeless Swing by Tom Watson

When Tom Watson’s final round approach shot to the 18^th at Turnberry during the 2009 British Open rolled past the hole, over the green and down the slope, I fell to my living room floor because I couldn’t stand it. I was really pulling for him to win because to do so at the age of 59 would have been possibly the greatest win in golf history. It didn’t quite happen but it was still a remarkable story.

  

In his new book, The Timeless Swing, Tom Watson has compiled the insights, secrets, and fundamentals he has learned and used throughout his legendary golf career. Over the past 40 years, Watson has a total of eight major championships, 68 professional wins, and of course nearly won that British in 2009. 

I usually think golf instruction books are pretty boring but this one is different. The book is designed to help both beginners as well as more advanced players. He covers the basics such as grip, posture, alignment, and ball position and then steadily moves on to topics such as hitting low hooks or high fades, hitting if farther, and swinging in the wind.

  

The book is filled with excellent photographs of Watson demonstrating every fundamental and shot that is discussed. Watson also includes many drills that golfers of all skill levels can use to improve. All in all, the book provides clear, concise, easy to read golf instruction that covers a majority of the knowledge Watson has learned throughout his career.

It’s quite evident that Tom Watson has a timeless, consistent, efficient swing with smooth tempo that he’s used to be successful for 40 years. What better way to learn than from one of the game’s all time champions?

ENTER HERE TO WIN PRIZES:

There are (5) 1st prizes and (5) 2nd prizes. 1st place receives a signed copy of The Timeless Swing and a signed copy of Lessons of a Lifetime DVD. 2nd place receives a signed copy of The Timeless Swing and a signed Adams golf hat. 

Simon & Schuster gave me this book to read and review in connection with its Sweepstakes.

U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Winners

Jack Nicklaus (1972)


Tom Watson (1982)


Tom Kite (1992)

Tiger Woods (2000)


???????????? (2010)

A big name player has won the Open at Pebble four out of four times and I suspect this year will be no different. If I had to place a bet, my money would be on Mickelson for 2010.

Cink Wins Open over Watson

In what could have been one of the biggest stories in sports history, Stewart Cink put an end to Tom Watson's stunning run by winning the Open Championship in a playoff. Cink made a great birdie at eighteen in regulation to post two under par and become the leader in the clubhouse, and then went on to defeat Watson by playing the four hole playoff in two under par.

Cink is a deserving champion, but his victory will be overshadowed by the great play of 59 year old Tom Watson, who going into the eighteenth hole in regulation was one par away from making history. Watson hit a perfect drive, and his second shot was directly at the pin but went too far and ended up in a difficult location for getting up and down. His first putt went eight feet past the hole and he missed the par putt for the victory. He would have become the oldest major champion of all time and won the British Open for a record tying sixth championship.


I'm sure this was a difficult tournament to watch for many people rooting so hard for Watson to pull it out. I could barely watch the last few holes and it was completely deflating when he bogeyed the last. Regardless, Watson is an all time great champion and earned even more respect all around the world with his performance at the Open. He will be playing next week at the Senior Open at Sunningdale and it will be interesting to see whether he has anything left after such a strenuous week.

Turn Back the Clock

Tom Watson, age 59, shot a bogey free round of 65 today at Turnberry and is tied for second place in the British Open behind Miguel A. Jimenez. Watson has won five British Opens, including the 1977 Championship also held at Turnberry, where he battled Jack Nicklaus in the famous Duel in the Sun.

Watson has also won three Senior British Opens and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988. A slew of stars are chasing him on the leader board and its definitely a little early for everyone to get too excited, however, he is one of the greatest links players of all time. He could make history as the oldest major champion ever and it will be great to see him stay in contention through the weekend.